Introduction
Our remarkable Sojourn begins in Kathmandu and its maze of streets and ancient temples then head south to Bombay on the Deccan plateau. Explore amazing forts and caves, ride on elephant back and bicycle through the famous Keoladeo bird sanctuary. Experience the sub-continent's incredible diversity and rich cultural heritage.
ITINERARY:
Day 01 - Kathmandu On arrival check into hotel. PM Spend your first afternoon with a walk to the local bazaar.
Day 02 - Kathmandu AM Begin with a visit to the old Royal Palace, built over the course of almost 4 centuries, followed by a visit to Kathmandu's "living Goddess" at Kumari Chowk. Nearby, stop briefly at Kasthamandap temple, then head west to Swayambunath and its sweeping views - a great place to get your bearings geographically and culturally. PM Visit the sister city of Patan. A city of artisans, Patan produces nearly all of Nepal's fine metal work.
Day 03 - Kathmandu/Nagarkot AM Visit Nepal's holiest Hindu shrine at Pashupatinath, then continue to Bodhnath, the world's largest stupa. PM Bhaktapur, Nepal's most perfectly preserved city is your next stop. Drive out of town to the hill resort at Nagarkot. Spend the night in Nagarkot.
Day 04 - Nagarkot/Pokhara AM View Mt Everest at sunrise. AM Transfer to Kathmandu for flight to Pokhara PM See Pokhara and Phewa Lake in the shadow of Machhapuchhre. Overnight in Pokhara.
Day 05 - Kathmandu AM Return to Kathmandu PM Spend the afternoon at Leisure.
Day 06 - Varanasi AM Fly to Varanasi. Check into hotel. PM Visit Sarnath, site where Buddha preached his message of enlightenment twenty five centuries ago.
Day 07 - Agra AM Take a boat ride on the Ganges at sunrise for an intimate view of devotees making their soul cleansing dips. The early morning light is quite magical as the city slowly comes to life.PM transfer to airport for flight to Agra. Check into hotel on arrival.
Day 08 - Agra View the magnificent Taj Mahal at sunrise. AM Visit Agra's other famous monument, the Fort of Akbar built in 1564 and enlarged by successive rulers.PM Fly to Delhi. Check into hotel on arrival.
Day 09 - New Delhi Spend a full day sightseeing Delhi with visits to Humayun's Tomb, the Qutab Minar, President House & India Gate, Raj Ghat, Jama Masjid and the famous Red Fort.
Day 10 - Alwar AM Transfer to rail station for train to Alwar. Disembark and drive to Siliseth, then bicycle to Sariska (car also available). Continue on bicycle to Bharatpur & the Keoladeo Ghana National Park, one of the most spectacular waterbird sanctuaries. Overnight at Bharatpur.
Day 11 - Jaipur AM Take an early morning boat ride through the parks waterways. Later transfer by road to Jaipur. Check into hotel on arrival. PM Tour the "Pink City" and its major landmarks. Visit the Hawa Mahal, City Palace and the Astronomical Observatory.
Day 12 - Jaipur/Jodhpur Take a full day excursion to the Amber fortress Palace, a superb example of Rajput architecture. Ride on elephant back as did the maharajah's of a glorious bygone era. Fly to Jodhpur in the late evening. Check into hotel on arrival.
Day 13 - Jodhpur AM Tour Jodhpur. Visit "The Fort", situated on top of a sheer rocky hill with views of the surrounding town. PM See a typical rural Indian village and its inhabitants go about their daily chores. Return to hotel in Jodhpur. Spend the evening at leisure.
Day 14 - Udaipur AM Leave for Udaipur by road. Stop at Ranakpur and its remarkable complex of Jain temples. Later visit Kumbalgarh Fort built in the 15th century. PM Arrive Udaipur and check into hotel.
Day 15 - Udaipur AM Visit the Maharana's Palace - largest of its kind in Rajasthan, Sahelion Ki Badi, and Jagat Temple. PM Spend the afternoon at leisure.
Day 16 - Aurangabad AM Fly to Aurangabad and check into hotel. PM Take an excursion to the Ellora Caves 29 kms from Aurangabad and see its remarkable sculptures. Return to hotel for overnight stay.
Day 17 - Aurangabad AM Visit the famous Ajanta caves 105 kms from Aurangabad with a stop at View Point. These magnificent cave paintings depict Buddhist legends and folk lore. PM Return to hotel for a late lunch and spend the rest of the day at leisure.
Day 18 - Bombay AM Fly to Bombay and check into hotel. PM Spend the afternoon at leisure.
Day 19 - Bombay AM Tour the Gateway of India commemorating the visit of George V in 1911. Later visit Mani Bhawan Museum and the Hanging gardens situated on the slopes of the Malabar hills. PM Spend your last afternoon at leisure
Day 20 - Departure AM Transfer to airport for destination home.
Rates
North to South Sojourn
2 Persons
3 or more
Air Fare
Deluxe
$3268
$3212
$2075
Tourist / Economy
$2544
$2485
$1590
Hotels In order to make the travel experience more convenient and confortable, we have selected the following hotels in the various stops.
Cities
Deluxe
Economy
Agra
Taj View
Hotel Trident
Aurangabad
Taj Residency
same
Bombay
Taj Mahal
Ambassador
Bandhavgarh
Nature Camp
Tiger Trails
Cochin
Malabar
Taj Residency
Delhi
Taj Mahal
Ambassador/Hans Plaza
Daspan
Castle
same
Jaipur
Ram-Bagh Palace
Trident Hotel
Jaisalmer
Gorbandh
same
Jodhpur
Umaid Bhawan
Bal Samand
Khajuraho
Jass Oberoi
Holiday Inn
Kumarakom
Coconut Lagoon
Taj Retreat
Kumarakom
Coconut Lagoon
Taj Retreat
Madras
Taj Coromandal
Hotel Savera
Madurai
Taj Garden
same
Mysore
Lalitha Mahal Palace
same
Nagarhole
Jungle Lodge
same
Periyar
Spice Village
Taj Gardens
Rantambhor
Sawai Madho Lodge
same
Rohet
Castle Rohert
same
Udaipur
Lake Palace
Laxmi Vilas
Varanasi
Taj Ganges
Clarks
Cost includes Accommodation on twin sharing basis with breakfast. All transfers between airport-hotel-airport. Sightseeing & English speaking guides.
Cost does not include Expenses of a private nature ie, laundry, drinks, telephone calls, meals (unless specified), insurance, airport taxes, excess baggage charges and all manner of gratuities.
Optional Tours Based on minimum of two persons- Costs are per person
Bhutan
4 nights/5 days
$1360
Glimpses of the Himalayas ( Darjeeling/Sikkim )
4 nights/5 days
$995
Chitwan Jungle Safari
3 nights/4 days
$385
Mountain Flight ( closeup views of the Himalayas )
$135
Tibet
4 nights/5 days
$675
NOTE: Airfares quoted are estimates only and are based on West Coast departures (Los Angeles or San Francisco). A High season surcharge of $200 will be charched for departure during the following months:
June-July-August & December 1- January 15.
